The Relation of Hazard Awareness to Adoption of Approved Mitigation Measures.

Saarinen, Thomas F.

The relationship between an individual's or community's awareness of natural hazards and subsequent behavior change is examined in this review of research. The document is presented in seven sections. Following Section I, the introduction, Section II discusses the role of experience in behavior change. Section III examines the role of education such as a flood hazard brochure, a hurricane awareness program, and public demand for earthquake information. Section IV investigates the effects of forced awareness such as flood plain zoning and California legislation which requires realtors to disclose the location of property within the seismic area. Section V discusses human rationality and decision making. The effects of community action on low priority issues such as water fluoridation, unrealistic optimism about the future, decisions on flood insurance, and personality factors are analyzed. Section VI explores alternative approaches to changing environmental behavior. Section VII concludes that awareness based on experience is associated with a greater tendency to adopt approved practices, although whether people can substitute information for experience is less certain. The public educational effort should include legislation, incentives which reinforce environmentally sound behavior, and community action programs. (KC)